Château Certan De May, Pomerol, 2020
Vinified under the guidance of renowned consultant and long-term winemaker at Petrus, Jean-Claude Berrouet since the 2013 vintage, Certan de May has received much investment recently, and the results are beginning to show in the glass. Very pure and detailed, a classical style, not heavyweight, but good fruit, polished, much more detailed, good precision; a refined and elegant Certan de May packed with pleasing floral fruit enveloped by imperceptible tannins, which are clearly ripe and well-integrated with the beautiful fruit. Very good indeed. 65% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Franc and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon.
critic reviews
The 2020 Certan de May thankfully shows far better than it did in barrel and just after bottling. Here, it has an open, earthy and leafy bouquet that is quite classical in style and needs a little more fruit concentration. The palate is balanced and medium-bodied with sappy red fruit, decent weight and depth, if just a bit conservative on the finish. That said, I appreciate its restraint in the context of the growing season. Tasted blind at the annual Southwold tasting.
Offering up aromas of sweet berries and plums mingled with notions of aniseed, licorice and mint, the 2020 Certan de May is medium to full-bodied, broad and layered, with a rich and enveloping core of ripe, somewhat baked fruit. This is a solid effort, but it can't quite match the 2019.
A blend of 65% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Franc, and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, the 2020 Certan de May is deep garnet-purple in color. It leaps with notes of wild blueberries, Morello cherries, and raspberry coulis, followed by hints of roses, damp soil, and tar. The medium to full-bodied palate is refreshing and vibrant, with plush tannins and a perfumed finish. Very pretty!